Monday, November 19, 2012

During the past twenty years or so, there has been increased awareness of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. A host of initiatives have come forth to improve public awareness and funding for research.

In the wake of all this new interest and knowledge, caregivers have moved into the spotlight. We caregivers have a collective voice that speaks compellingly; we write books, attend support group meetings, and elicit empathy by the "noble" sacrifices we have made in order to do the work of providing care to others.

At a recent meeting I attended, a list of the symptoms of "Caregiver Syndrome" were listed. Daunting statistics about the well-being of someone who cares for the needs of a health compromised loved one were read. The implication was that it is unwise to sacrifice oneself on behalf of another person, especially when that person is dementia afflicted and on the way out of this world anyway.

This line of reasoning can lead to tragic outcomes not only for people who are in need of loving support as they go through the process of suffering and dying, but also for caregivers who receive the subtle message, "Put your own needs first." A refusal to move into a caregiving role may in truth be a resistance to the honing influence of circumstances God would use to bring great blessing.

The Lord has made it clear to me that my mother's concerns are paramount in His eyes. Mom is undergoing the final phase of her life journey and it's as though God says to me, "Do not abandon her out of fear for yourself. Be brave with the courage I will provide, be strong with the strength I give. To say 'I can't' is to say that the Lord is not sufficient for your needs."

I am strong with His strength, enabled by His enabling power to face down my fear and aversion to illness and death so I can stay by my mother's side as she nears the end of her life's journey. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants..." (Psalm 116:15) This is a solemn and precious time for my mother. It's only right that her needs trump mine for now.

There will be life for me after my mother's Alzheimer's. I have the Lord's assurance that He will see me through and that His promises to me will be fulfilled. I don't have to worry about myself; the Lord is my Caregiver, I shall not want!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

If my mom hadn't gotten Alzheimer's, I would never have written a book for caregivers. If I hadn't lost the reading program that meant so much to me, I wouldn't have taken early retirement from my teaching job. If I hadn't already had author status, I'd never have written a novel that is a tribute to how much I loved teaching kids to read. If God hadn't kept my heart's needs in mind through the sorrows He allowed, a traditional publishing company never would have picked up either of my books. I am grateful, and have peace in the understanding that God truly does work all things together for good...even Alzheimer's.

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About Me

If my mom hadn't gotten Alzheimer's, I would never have written a book
for caregivers. If I hadn't lost the reading program that meant so much
to me, I wouldn't have taken early retirement from my teaching job. If I
hadn't already had author status, I'd never have written a novel that
is a tribute to how much I loved teaching kids to read. If God hadn't
kept my heart's needs in mind through the sorrows He allowed, a
traditional publishing company never would have picked up either of my
books. And if I hadn't become overweight, I'd never have learned about God's mercy and grace in a way that would help others and free me from a lifelong case of self-condemnation. I am grateful, and have peace in the understanding that God truly
does work all things together for good.